&EPA
                  United States
                  Environmental Protection
                  Agency
                    Air and Radiation
                                       EPA420-F-00-003
                                       January 2000
                  Office of Transportation and Air Quality
Resource
Information
                  National Vehicle and
                  Fuel  Emissions Laboratory
                  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of
                  Transportation and Air Quality's (OTAQ) mission is to reconcile the
                  transportation sector with the environment by advancing clean fuels
                  and technology, and working to promote more liveable communities.
                  OTAQ is responsible for carrying out laws to control air pollution from
                  motor vehicles, engines, and their fuels. OTAQ is divided between
                  EPA's headquarters in Washington, D.C., and the National Vehicle and
                  Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
                                                       > Printed on Recycled Paper

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Overview
The Laboratory's primary responsibilities include:

  •  developing national regulatory programs to reduce mobile source
     related air pollution from light-duty cars and trucks, heavy-duty
     trucks and busses, and nonroad engines and vehicles.

  •  evaluating emission control technology.

  •  providing state and local air quality regulators and transportation
     planners with access to critical information on transportation pro-
     grams and incentive-based programs.

  •  testing vehicles, engines and fuels.

  •  determining compliance with federal emissions and fuel economy
     standards.

Organizationally, the lab functions as part of EPA's Washington, D.C.,
headquarters.
          The President
             I
              EPA
             I
Other Federal Departments and Agencies
Regions and Other Program Offices:

   Water, Solid Waste, Toxics, etc.
                                 Other Air Programs:
Ottice ot Air and Radiation
             I
    Office of Transportation
        and Air Quality
             1
  Air Quality Planning and Standards

  Atmospheric Programs

  Radiation and Indoor Air
        National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
                     Ann Arbor, Michigan

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The laboratory was established in 1971, shortly after the creation of
EPA. It is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, near the headquarters of
domestic automobile manufacturers to facilitate transfer of test vehicles
back and forth.

There are about 400 employees atNVFEL. Staff expertise spans a
variety of technical and public policy fields including auto mechanics,
engineering, chemistry, economics, natural resources management, and
law.

The NVFEL lab provides the Office  of Transportation and Air Quality
with emission testing services for motor vehicle, heavy-duty engine, and
nonroad engine programs in support of rulemakings, enforcement
actions, and procedures development. Testing activities include:

  • certifying that vehicles and engines meet federal emissions and fuel
    economy standards.

  • analyzing fuels, fuel additives,  and exhaust compounds.

  • testing engines for in-use compliance.

In addition, the lab assists in the development of automotive technology
to reduce conventional pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, such as
Clean Car (Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles), low NOx
diesel engine, and alternative fuel technologies.
For More Information
You can access documents electronically on OTAQ programs on our
Web site at:

       http ://www. epa.gov/otaq

You can also contact the NVFEL Library for document information at:

       U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
       NVFEL Library
       2000 Traverwood Drive
       Ann Arbor, MI 48105
       (734)214-4311

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